BLIND VISIONARIES
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, open my eyes to Your Word.
Read Matthew 20:29–34
Two Blind Men Receive Sight
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
If Jesus were asking you, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would you respond?We’re told that a large crowd followed Jesus (29). Presumably, they all enjoyed good eyesight; but did they “see” who Jesus really was?
In contrast, consider the two blind men. They lacked sight, but they enjoyed clarity of vision, for they hailed Jesus with the Messianic title “Son of David” and pleaded for “mercy” (30). Physical blindness hadn’t blinded them to the truth of who Jesus was (the Messiah) and what he was able to do (grant mercy and healing).
What are the things that blind us from seeing who Jesus really is? What keeps us from believing that he is not merely able, but also eager and willing, to help us (as evidenced by his compassionate question in verse 32)?
The song goes, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone…” (Johnny Nash). But while the rain is still pelting down, our vision tends to grow hazy. Storms and setbacks in life have a way of blurring faith and dulling hope. Not so for these men. Although their physical disability is aggravated by opposition from this large crowd, they persist in crying out to Jesus with even greater passion (31).
Apply
Do you see Jesus for who he truly is? Do you need a spiritual eye-adjustment? Name some ways that Jesus’ ways differ from our culture.
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
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